African Roots and Rhythms: Papa Wemba (DR Congo)
Colorful is probably the best word I can think of to describe Papa Wemba. In addition to being a musician, he was a fashion icon, acted in films, and had a serious run-in with the law. He was called the “King of Rumba Rock,” but this is not your parents’ or grandparents’ rumba. Congolese rumba is for dancing, just not the ballroom type of dancing that the word conjures up. He had great energy, which can be seen in any video of him performing live, as he danced to his own music.
His career began in the late 1960’s when he was in several bands. His music was a fusion of different genres including Congolese rumba, soukous, traditional rhythms, Caribbean music, rock and soul. His international popularity came as a result of forming the band Viva La Musica in the late 1970’s. He relocated to Paris in the 1980’s, where western music styles began to influence his music. The band was basically split into two, with one band staying in Kinshasa and one in Paris.
While he was with his group Viva La Musica, he popularized the SAPE (which stands for the Society of Ambiance-Makers and Elegant People) style. Primarily seen in the main cities of Kinshasa and Brazzaville, it began as a movement in the 1920’s. Solange Knowles and Kendrick Lamar both featured sapeurs (as the men are called) in music videos. Papa Wemba’s outfits during performances were over the top.
He had had two scrapes with the law. During the mid-1970’s Papa Wemba was arrested and briefly incarcerated when he was suspected of having a relationship with an army general’s daughter. In 2004, he was convicted of smuggling illegal immigrants into the EU from the Democratic Republic of Congo by passing them off as band members. He spent three and a half months in prison and was fined 30,000 euros.
Papa Wemba acted in a few Congolese films, but more importantly, he contributed to the soundtracks in several major films including Life Is Beautiful, Children of Men and Besieged.
Papa Wemba died in 2016 doing what he loved best — performing on stage.
This video shows some of Papa Wemba’s incredible sense of style, and it’s probably my favorite song of his from his Emotion release.
Another great song of his from the same release.
Love this song with his band Viva La Musica.
This is a song he did as a single with Diamond Platnumz.
For more information about Papa Wemba, go to the following websites.
https://afropop.org/articles/adieu-papa-wemba
https://afropop.org/articles/best-of-the-beat-on-afropop-papa-wemba
